How a parcel is cleared in the country of destination

Upon arrival in the destination country, the cargo is sent to a customs terminal. A state customs inspector evaluates the value of the parcel by analyzing the amount declared in the documents and the data in their country’s customs databases. Following this, two scenarios are possible:

Duty-free import. If the declared customs value of the parcel matches the country’s average and does not exceed the customs limit, the cargo is handed over to the courier and proceeds to the recipient.
Payment of duties and import taxes. These are calculated if the value of the shipment exceeds the duty-free limit. You can check the de minimis thresholds for different countries via this link.

If duty payment is required, the recipient will receive a notification via email or WhatsApp. The message will look approximately like this:

“Dear customer, you have a parcel with tracking number RB*******78CN. You need to pay an import tax in the amount of 10 EUR. You can do this via the link in this message.”

Additionally, in this notification, the customs inspector may request additional documents or information regarding the parcel. Such a request is often related to local legislative requirements or additional questions concerning the value and contents of the cargo.

After the tax is paid, the courier service will deliver your shipment to the specified address.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to the cargo after it arrives at its destination?▼

Upon arrival, the cargo is taken to the customs terminal, where a government customs inspector assesses its value by cross-checking the information in the documents against the country’s customs databases.

What are the options available after the package has been appraised?▼

There are two options: duty-free import if the value of the package does not exceed the customs limit, or payment of duties and taxes if the limit is exceeded.

When does the recipient need to pay customs duties and import taxes?▼

If the value of the shipment exceeds the established limit, the recipient will receive a notification that customs duties must be paid.

How does the recipient find out that customs duties are due?▼

The notification is sent via email or WhatsApp, indicating the tax amount and a link for payment.

What else might a customs inspector request in the notice?▼

The inspector may request additional documents or information regarding the shipment, often in connection with local laws or questions about the value and contents of the cargo.

What happens after the import tax is paid?▼

Once the tax has been paid, the courier service will deliver the package to the specified address.

How is a package cleared through customs in the destination country?

Frequently Asked Questions

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